I have here a compilation of essays for the great ape project, edited I think by Singer, in support of giving our closest relatives more rights and protection. Among others it contains reports by people who have worked with apes like Kanzi or Koko, and they report quite astonishing feats especially when it comes to communication in sign language. On the other hand, there are plenty of sceptics who think that while those who work with these apes may not be consciously lying, they may have fallen pray to biases. This situation would then be similar in nature to the facilitated communication fiasco, where facilitators have falsly claimed to be able to enable disabled people express themselves by holding their hand while writing. Here, the facilitators unconsciously started writing their own messages fo the disabled person, providing e.g. parents with false hope and sometimes dangerous bogus accusations of abuse. Anyways, my point is that it is established how people can be radically misled when trying to communicate with partners who have limited to no ability to express themselves.
Like many others, I would really love if great apes could communicate with us to the extent some claim, but I am skeptical.
What do you all think, how much of this is hype and delusion, and how much of it is real?
Like many others, I would really love if great apes could communicate with us to the extent some claim, but I am skeptical.
What do you all think, how much of this is hype and delusion, and how much of it is real?
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
